HGTV Room Planner

Rearranging your room every few months can help abate your need to do more extensive remodeling but sometimes its hard to imagine where your couch or TV might look best without physically moving it. This can be a lot of work, so save your back and try this Room Planner from HGTV. Choose the room and the furniture then drag and drop to arrange your room how you think it will look best.

  July 31, 2006 | Comments ()

Project Estimators

A good starting point for determining the budget of your kitchen or bath remodel should be at the project estimator from contractors.com. There are also project estimators for roofing, decks, and additions. These estimators take into account your geographic area as well as the size and scope of your project and cost of materials you'll use. After submitting the details of your project the estimator will provide you with a figure that should consider in the "ball park" of what your project will cost. Knowing what to expect from a bid should help relieve the sticker shock as well as help you plan for future projects.

Project Estimator [Contractors.com]

  July 13, 2006 | Comments (1)

Avoiding Mold in the Summer

There are conflicting theories on the dangers of mold but we do know that many prospective homebuyers are taking mold inspections into consideration before purchasing a home. HGTV recommends that an empty home should have the air conditioning left on in the summer to keep the humidity levels down and allow air to circulate throughout the house before an inspection. An empty and sealed home provides the perfect humid breeding ground that mold spores need to proliferate. While the debate is still open on the true dangers of mold, it's in your best interest when selling your home to keep the mold levels down.

Leave the Air Conditioning on to Avoid Mold [HGTV]

  July 12, 2006 | Comments ()

Locating a Wall Stud

Locating a wall stud shouldn't be a guessing game and there's no need for punching extraneous nail holes when you can get it right the first time. Studs are typically located 16" OC (on center) but they can also be found at 24" OC. Once you find one stud you should be able to locate adjacent studs quite easily.

• To find that first stud you should look for an outlet or switch. Electrical boxes are usually anchored to studs. From the nearest outlet or switch, measure in 16- or 24-inch increments toward the are you are looking to place your nail.
  
• You can also examine the baseboards which should be nailed directly into studs. If you examine the baseboards closely you should be able to see exposed nailheads or patches over the nail heads which are a giveaway to a stud behind it.
  
• You can also measure away from a corner in multiples of 16 or 24 inches. Then gently tap the area to find a section of wall with a solid backing (a stud or joist).
  
• If you are still unsure of stud locations, you can use a handheld electronic device called a stud finder. The stud finder will beep or flash when it passes over a joist or stud. Slide the finder horizontally across the wall until it signals the location of a framing member, and by coming toward the stud from both ends, you can find and mark its edges, and then determine its center. Find adjacent studs by measuring 16 or 24 inches from center.
  
• Find studs behind plaster walls is trickier and can be done by driving a small test nail just above the baseboard.

Some tips for using a hammer most effectively.

  July 10, 2006 | Comments ()

Identifying and Removing Bugs from Your Home

Bugs (even the good ones) are a nuisance. They can be dangerous to you and your pets and they can damage/destroy your home (termites). Although knowing spiders are eating the other bugs in your house it's still unnverving to watch one scamper across your wall or ceiling and a few are extremely dangerous.

We mentioned some alternative solutions to getting rid of ants which are some of the hardest pests to remove. Here's a more comprehensive guide that will help you identify the bug and how to keep them out of your house.

Top Pests [Move.com]

  July 10, 2006 | Comments (1)